An afternoon of music and nostalgia

Durris accordion and fiddle club opened proceedings with a toe-tapping selection of Scottish dance music

Published:08:41Wednesday 18 March 2015

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Music from Rita McLean’s ladies choir, Hector Riddell and more

A greatly enjoyable afternoon of Scottish song, music and dance

Rotary Club of Banchory Ternan

Banchory senior citizens were entertained by local artists to an afternoon of Scottish song, music and dance on Sunday at Banchory Rotary Club’s biennial concert in the Scout Hall, Dee Street.

From the rousing opening rendition of Scottish dance music from the local Scottish Accordian Music Group to the grand finale from Finzean’s Hector Riddell, recently crowned Scottish bothy ballad king for the fourth time, it was an afternoon of non-stop entertainment which had the audience’s feet tapping and their lungs exercised as they joined in singing songs from a by-gone era.

Rita McLean's ladies choir, in to which two guest male singers had infiltrated, donned their hats for a stirring rendition of Easter Bonnets.

“It was an afternoon of nostalgia, music and entertainment which the audience greatly enjoyed,” said club president, Ralph Singleton.

“We are grateful to all the local entertainers who gave up their Sunday to give the senior citizens of Banchory and district such an enjoyable afternoon.”

Compered by Rotarian George Sinclair, chairman of the club’s entertainment committee, the entertainment included Rita McLean’s ladies choir who had the audience singing to favourites such as Tulips from Amsterdam and My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, a dancing display by the talented pupils of the Coutts School of Dancing, a lively selection of Scottish music from the Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society, under their leader for the afternoon, Tracy Webster, and a humorous contribution from story-teller, Fred Davidson, who had the audience singing to his melodeon tunes. Members of the audience enjoyed a welcome cup of tea and biscuits at the interval, served by Rotarians and their partners, and the afternoon finished with a vote of thanks from Mr Singleton.

It was an afternoon of nostalgia, music and entertainment which the audience greatly enjoyed.

Ralph Singleton, President

Fred Davidson amused the audience with his fund of stories and then had everyone singing along to the medoleon.

Star turn was Scotland's bothy ballad king, Hector Riddell from Finzean, who had the audience enthralled with a selection of nostalgic bothy ballads, from the lively Nicky Tams to the more sombre It's Lonely in the Bothy and Sleepytoon Farm.

Finzean's Hector Riddell, recently crowned Scotland's bothy ballad king for the fourth time, was introduced by compere, Rotarian George Sinclair (right) and thanked by Rotary president, Ralph Singleton.